Monthly Archives: December 2019

The Gospel of the day: 19th December

Readings of the day

First Reading: Judges 13, 2-7.24-25a
Psalm: 70 (71), 3-4a.5-6ab.16-17

Gospel: Lk 1, 5-25

In the days of Herod, King of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah of the priestly division of Abijah; his wife was from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.  
Both were righteous in the eyes of God, observing all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blamelessly… Read more »

There is no real mercy without truth – Archbishop

Christmas Greetings message to Curia employees

  The Archbishop's Curia

Messaġġ tal-Arċisqof Charles J. Scicluna

Eccellenza Signor Nunzio, għażiż Isqof Joe, nixtieq l-ewwel nett ngħidilkom grazzi tal-preżenza tagħkom illum. Waqt li nagħmlu l-awguri għall-Milied, ix-xewqa tiegħi hija li niskopru ċ-ċirkustanzi konkreti ta’ kull wieħed u waħda minnha u tal-pajjiż, il-veru sinifikat ta’ dak li qegħdin niċċelebraw. L-ewwel suġġeriment li nagħmel huwa li nsibu ħin, ilkoll kemm aħna, naqraw l-Ittra Apostolika tal-Papa Franġisku dwar il-presepju: Admirabile SignumRead more »

“Transparency is being implemented at the highest levels” – The Archbishop

In an interview with the Adjunct Secretary for the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Archbishop Charles J. Scicluna recalls that “there was a full day of discussion on the question of transparency” which “is now being implemented”.

“Transparency is now being implemented at the highest level”. This is how Archbishop Charles Scicluna, the Archbishop of Malta, and Adjunct Secretary of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith interprets the latest Rescript published on Tuesday, 17 December 2019 in an interview with Vatican Radio – Vatican News… Read more »

The Gospel of the day: 18th December

Readings of the day

First Reading: Jer 23, 5-8
Psalm: 71 (72), 2.12-13.18-19

Gospel: Mt 1, 18-24

This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the Holy Spirit.

Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly… Read more »

The Archbishop during Christmas and the beginning of the New Year

Il-funzjonijiet reliġjużi li ser imexxi l-Arċisqof Charles J. Scicluna fl-okkażjoni tal-Milied jibdew filgħaxija f’lejlet il-Milied.

It-Tlieta 24 ta’ Diċembru, lejlet il-Milied, fil-5:00 p.m. Monsinjur Arċisqof imexxi l-ewwel għasar tal-Milied solenni fil-Konkatidral ta’ San Ġwann, il-Belt Valletta, u fil-5:30 p.m., jiċċelebra l-Quddiesa tal-Vġili.

Dakinhar stess, fil-10:45 p.m. jibda l-uffiċċju tal-qari li matulu ssir ukoll il-prietka tat-tfal, kif ukoll programm ta’ għanjiet tal-Milied… Read more »

Advent reminds us that we need God – Archbishop

L-omelija tal-Arċisqof Charles J. Scicluna

“Int b’liema setgħa qiegħed tagħmel dan kollu, min tahielek din is-setgħa?” (Mt 21:23). Il-komunità Nisranija li kienet tisma’ dan l-Evanġelju bħalna, taf ir-risposta għal dawn il-mistoqsijiet. Ġesù jirrifjuta li jagħti risposta għaliex jifhem, hu li jara l-qalb, li f’dak il-mument min kien qed jistaqsih dwar l-identità tiegħu, ma kienx lest li jaċċettah.

Dan jista’ jkun ukoll il-periklu li ngħaddu minnu aħna fl-Avvent u fil-Milied fejn dak kollu li jdawwar l-ambjent fejn noqogħdu jew naħdmu, ikun isejħilna għall-Milied imma l-qalb tagħna ma tkunx għadha lesta tilqa’ lil min ġej.          

It-talba tagħna llum trid tkun waħda sempliċi: li nkunu persważi li għandna bżonnu… Read more »

The Gospel of the day: 17th December

Readings of the day

First Reading: Gen 49, 2.8-10
Psalm: 71 (72),1- 2.3-4ab.7-8.17

Gospel: Mt 1, 1-17

The Book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Abraham became the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers. Judah became the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar… Read more »

Pope at Angelus: let us not be distracted, make room for the joy of Jesus

Pope Francis during the Angelus

On the third Sunday of Advent, Pope Francis invites the faithful not to be distracted by external things, but to make room for Jesus who wants “to give us his joy”.

Before the recitation of the Marian Prayer, Pope Francis said the liturgy on this third Sunday of Advent invites us to be joyful, but to be aware “that existence also includes moments of doubt”… Read more »

The Gospel of the day: 16th December

Readings of the day

First Reading: Num 24, 2-7.15-17a
Psalm: 24 (25), 4bc-5ab.6-7bc.8-9

Gospel: Mt 21, 23-27

When Jesus had come into the temple area, the chief priests and the elders of the people approached him as he was teaching and said, “By what authority are you doing these things? And who gave you this authority?”

Jesus said to them in reply, “I shall ask you one question, and if you answer it for me, then I shall tell you by what authority I do these things… Read more »